What if my use of a DRM protected work falls under an exception?

Although these are perfectly legitimate tools to prevent copyright infringement, they can also prevent permitted activities that fall under copyright exceptions (See Schedule 5A of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act [CDPA] 1988, as amended).

The exceptions for use of DRM protected work are narrow, but if you consider your use falls under one of the exceptions you may request a workaround to the protection measure from the right holder.

Under UK copyright law (CDPA, s296ZE), if the right holder does not provide an effective workaround, you may issue a ‘notice of complaint’ to the Secretary of State.  If your complaint is upheld the Secretary of State may issue directions on how to ensure that the permitted act can be performed and direct the copyright owner to resolve the issue.

What if I find a way to get around those technical protection measures?

Technical protection measures that are designed to prevent unauthorised, restricted acts in respect of copyright protected works, are perfectly legitimate tools used by copyright owners to restrict certain uses of their work.  

Workarounds, or circumvention, of such protection measures is illegal and may result in the right holder taking civil and/or criminal action against the person carrying out such an act.